Bracket for positioning and protecting pipes in concrete
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Solution Overview
Problem
Embedded tubes and their contents in concrete floors are often damaged during construction, making it difficult to connect them securely and reliably to other members above the concrete surface, leading to costly and disruptive repairs.
Innovation Solution
A bracket system with curved supports and adjustable housings that securely hold tubes in place, allowing for easy and reliable connection by changing the tube's direction from horizontal to vertical, and adjusting the housing height relative to the concrete surface, using resilient latches and locking lugs for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tubes are embedded in concrete floors during construction, then they can be used for their intended purpose (carrying water, electrical wires, etc.), but they are often damaged during construction activities such as troweling, stepping, rolling, or placing equipment on them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a protective cap that covers the exposed end of the embedded tube before construction activities occur. This cap acts as a preventive measure against damage from troweling machines, worker footsteps, rolling equipment, and placed supplies. The cap is installed in advance to cushion and protect the vulnerable tube end from these anticipated harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap serves as an intermediary element between the tube and the harmful construction environment. Instead of directly exposing the tube to damage risks, the cap mediates by absorbing or deflecting the harmful effects (mechanical impacts, friction from trowels, pressure from equipment) before they can reach the tube itself.
2Ease of operation
If the tube end is damaged, then connection to other members above the concrete surface becomes difficult, but removing concrete to access undamaged tube portions is costly and disruptive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by ensuring the tube end remains undamaged through the protective cap, so that connection operations can be performed easily on the intact tube end after concrete hardening. The protection is applied in advance to prevent the need for later concrete removal, making the connection process straightforward without requiring jack-hammering or disruptive repairs.
3Reliability
If a protective cap is added to enclose the tube end, then damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the protective system into separate components: the bracket (for positioning), the curved support (for directional change), and the protective cap (for damage prevention). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system manageable and not overly complex despite providing comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by having the protective cap fit over the tube end, with the tube nested within the cap. This nested arrangement provides effective protection while using a compact structure that doesn't add excessive complexity to the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket holds a rigid or flexible tube during the pouring of a concrete slab. The bracket has a base and a housing connected to the base. The tube curves around a first tube support on the housing before passing through an opening in the bottom of the housing. The tube and any members inside the tube are cut off so they end inside the housing and are then covered by a housing cap. The base is fastened to a form for the concrete slab. The height of the housing relative to the base is adjusted to place the cap at the planned surface of the concrete slab. After the concrete slab is formed the cap is removed and the cut members inside the housing are connected to other members or devices.